Well I have to share how I feel on an issue. Jon is 6 will be 7 in aug. anyways, he was in kindergarton last year in a differant school district. We moved and he had to go to another school district. They put him in kindergarton again, but the other school had promoted him to 1st grade. So he is graduating from kindergarton again this year. Next year he will still be in the kindergarton center. This upsets me he is high functioning and is doing so well. Can they do this stuff to us, or can we push to have him in his proper grade? Any input would be wonderful thank you. P.S. How many times does he have to graduate from kindergarton anyways!!!
Heidi

You need to be upset! You need to call and IEP meeting and bring up the following things 1) his PEERS are already going into first grade! 2) if he repeates kindergarten again....(as a 7 year old which is ludicrice) he will NOT have any transition time left at the OTHER end of his school years.

When kids with developmental disabilities graduate at 18 or so, they then go into what is called "transition" which is where they focus on job skills, independent living skills, etc. It is a VERY important time, and they are Our the day they turn 21!!! Sometimes, if they have a birthday in November or so, they're done the spring BEFORE they turn 21. Our kids have time to repeat ONE grade. In kindergarten you don't yet really know where the problem areas are going to be...math, reading, etc. Better to have them repeat 1st or 2nd grade when the material is a bit harder and you can REALLY see what areas are going to be difficult for them.

What in the world is their reasoning for having him do kindergarten as a 7 year old? They can't say he's not ready for first grade. What if he wasn't "ready" until he was 10??

OOOoooo I am irritated right along with you!



[Edited by lespring on 05-15-2005 at 10:45 AM]

Leah, I wish you lived near me, I'd bring you along as a parent advocate!

I agree, call an IEP meeting. Find out why they are doing this. If you really feel that your son is ready to move on, you may have to prove it with some independent evaluations. I guess the school districts don't put a lot of weight behind what the parent thinks because the parent is to emotionally attached to the situation (of course!!!).

Bring along anyone who you can think to help you. Therapists, teachers, doctors, friends. Call around and find a parent advocate. I think the school district has to refer you to one if you ask. Or call some local disability groups, they can point you in the right direction. I found that having at least as many people on your side of the table makes you feel a lot less intimidated by the panel of school district folks.

I agree with what your saying just dont know how to go about getting anything done. They say they will mainstream him in a first grade class. They havent done him right from the beginning. I hate it, we live in a smaller town and they dont have much knowledge of downs and really no resources. So I am going to look deeper into it and see what I can do.
Thanks for the help
Heidi

Heidi,

go to wrightslaw.com They have LOTS of information for parents there!

Heidi, I know it's overwhelming trying to find out info. I used to have such a fear of telephones I couldn't order pizza! But I've gotten over that really quickly. I live in a rural area (our town has a population of 1500) and our high school usually graduates 50 kids a year. Still, I was able to find a ton of support from people, especially parent advocates. They've been through this all before and know how to deal with the school district. Good luck.

Heidi, I know it's overwhelming trying to find out info. I used to have such a fear of telephones I couldn't order pizza! But I've gotten over that really quickly. I live in a rural area (our town has a population of 1500) and our high school usually graduates 50 kids a year. Still, I was able to find a ton of support from people, especially parent advocates. They've been through this all before and know how to deal with the school district. Good luck.